Tito Ortiz: ‘No way I’m done’
In the lead-up to his UFC 121 bout with former The Ultimate Fighter pupil Matt Hamill, Tito Ortiz claimed he…
In the lead-up to his UFC 121 bout with former The Ultimate Fighter pupil Matt Hamill, Tito Ortiz claimed he was back training like a world champion. He did not look like one against Hamill, however, as he dropped a unanimous decision in a featured light heavyweight tilt on Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Hamill showed improved boxing in the fight, keeping Ortiz at bay with a long, accurate jab. The sustained punishment began to show on the face of The Huntington Beach Bad Boy as the fight wore on, a sight that has become more and more common later in Ortiz’s career. At the post-fight press conference, the former 205-pound champion fielded questions about his place in the division and whether or not he had anything left.
No way I’m done. I’m not even close to the end of my career. Besides my face being a little sore, I have no problems, said Ortiz. I’ve got to hop back on the horse, get back to a college and start wrestling again. The hunger is there. My heart hurts, but my mind stays strong. It’s a challenge.
Ortiz, who has not won a fight in more than four years, came out aggressively, charging Hamill and landing a head kick that looked to stun his opponent. The Team Punishment founder could not capitalize, however, and after the first few minutes, it was all Hamill.
I thought I had him hurt in the first round, and I should have pulled the trigger, said the former champion. I’m proud of myself for just competing against Hamill.